SEWE Attendee Profile Study



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A summary

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition Attendee Profile Study
Prepared by:
The Center for Business Research,
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce

Estimated Economic Impact:
Direct expenditure information for accommodations, food and beverages, tickets, souvenirs, entertainment and sightseeing for SEWE’s out-of-town visitors is obtained through the surveys.  Using the REMI model, SEWE generated an estimated $2.8 million in state and local taxes.  Direct expenditures of out-of-town visitors attending the 2006 Expo is estimated at over $31 million. Attendees and exhibitors at the 2006 SEWE had a $67.0 million total economic impact on the Charleston region.

SEWE Attendee Demographics
The average SEWE attendee is married, has a college degree or higher, and is employed full-time. Over 40% have an annual household income of $100,000 or more.  Based on survey data, it is estimated that approximately 60% are from out of town, and 40% are locals.
Fifty-nine percent (58.7%) of Expo visitors surveyed indicated they stayed in paid lodging, and approximately 13.5 percent were day-trippers.  Half (50.2%) of Expo visitors indicated they took at least one paid/guided tour while they were here, and many visited paid admission attractions such as the SC Aquarium, local museums, gardens, and historical sites.

Summary
In summary, SEWE is the largest event of its kind in the nation, and its attendees have the largest fiscal impact on our area of any three-day period during the year.  Our visitors from out of town tend to spend more and return to Charleston more often than average tourists. In fact, 100% of those surveyed indicated that they plan to return to Charleston in the future.